Trayvon Martin

[Adam West]

I done read zimmermans dad is a retired judge.

[jbazett]

Some fun facts about the case:

1. Zimmerman called the police to report Martin’s “suspicious” behavior, which he described as “just walking around looking about.” Zimmerman was in his car when he saw Martin walking on the street. He called the police and said: “There’s a real suspicious guy. This guy looks like he’s up to no good, on drugs or something. It’s raining and he’s just walking around looking about… These a**holes always get away” [Orlando Sentinel]

2. Zimmerman pursued Martin against the explicit instructions of the police dispatcher:
Dispatcher: “Are you following him?”
Zimmerman: “Yeah”
Dispatcher: “OK, we don’t need you to do that.”
[Orlando Sentinel]

3. Prior to the release of the 911 tapes, Zimmerman’s father released a statement claiming “[a]t no time did George follow or confront Mr. Martin.” [Sun Sentinel]

4. Zimmerman was carrying a 9 millimeter handgun. Martin was carrying a bag of Skittles and a can of iced tea. [ABC News]

5. Martin weighed 140 pounds. Zimmerman weighs 250 pounds. [Orlando Sentinel; WDBO]

6. Martin’s English teacher described him “as an A and B student who majored in cheerfulness.” [Orlando Sentinel]

7. Martin had no criminal record. [New York Times]

8. Zimmerman “was charged in July 2005 with resisting arrest with violence and battery on an officer. The charges appear to have been dropped.” [Huffington Post]

9. Zimmerman called the police 46 times since Jan. 1, 2011. [Miami Herald]

10. According to neighbors, Zimmerman was “fixated on crime and focused on young, black males.” [Miami Herald]

11. Zimmerman “had been the subject of complaints by neighbors in his gated community for aggressive tactics” [Huffington Post]

12. A police officer “corrected” a key witness. “The officer told the witness, a long-time teacher, it was Zimmerman who cried for help, said the witness. ABC News has spoken to the
teacher and she confirmed that the officer corrected her when she said she heard the teenager shout for help.” [ABC News]

13. Three witnesses say they heard a boy cry for help before a shot was fired. “Three witnesses contacted by The Miami Herald say they saw or heard the moments before and after the Miami Gardens teenager’s killing. All three said they heard the last howl for help from a despondent boy.” [Miami Herald]

14. The officer in charge of the crime scene also received criticism in 2010 when he initially failed to arrest a lieutenant’s son who was videotaped attacking a homeless black man. [New York Times]

15. The police did not test Zimmerman for drugs or alcohol. A law enforcement expert told ABC that Zimmerman sounds intoxicated on the 911 tapes. Drug and alcohol testing is “standard procedure in most homicide investigations.” [ABC News]

16. In a cell phone call moments before his death, Martin told a teenage girl that he was “hounded by a strange man on a cellphone who ran after him, cornered him and confronted him.” “‘He said this man was watching him, so he put his hoodie on. He said he lost the man,’ Martin’s friend said. ‘I asked Trayvon to run, and he said he was going to walk fast. I told him to run but he said he was not going to run.’ Eventually he would run, said the girl, thinking that he’d managed to escape. But suddenly the strange man was back, cornering Martin. ‘Trayvon said, ‘What, are you following me for,’ and the man said, ‘What are you doing here.’” [ABC News]

17. Police have Trayvon Martin’s cell phone but never contacted his girlfriend. [Miami Herald]

18. Zimmerman told the police “he had stepped out of his truck to check the name of the street he was on when Trayvon attacked him from behind as he walked back to his truck.” “He said he feared for his life and fired the semiautomatic handgun he was licensed to carry because he feared for his life.” [Miami Herald]

19. The incident occurred in a tiny gated community Zimmerman patrolled regularly. [Miami Herald]

20. Zimmerman was not a member of a registered Neighborhood Watch group. Zimmerman also violated basic Neighborhood Watch guidelines by carrying a weapon. [ABC News]

21. The police reports were amended to bolster Zimmerman’s claim of self defense. “Initial police reports never mentioned that Zimmerman had a bloody nose or a wet shirt that showed evidence of a struggle.” [Miami Herald]

22. Police ignored witness whose account was different from Zimmerman’s.“One of the witnesses who heard the crying said she called a detective repeatedly, but said he was not interested because her account differed from Zimmerman’s.” [Miami Herald]

23. Just prior to killing Martin, Zimmerman may have used a racial slur. The police admit they initially overlooked the remark. It’s unclear exactly what Zimmerman is saying. [ABC News]

24. Zimmerman still has a permit to carry a concealed weapon in the State of Florida. [ThinkProgress]

25. In April 2011, Zimmerman called the police to report a suspicious black male, “7-9″ years old, “skinny build.” [Daily Beast]

26. Zimmerman’s friend, Frank Taaffe, says Martin was shot because he wasn’t “honest and truthful” with Zimmerman. NBC News reported that Zimmerman called Taaffe to thank him for his support. [Huffington Post; MSNBC]

27. The lead investigator in Trayvon Martin shooting wanted manslaughter charge against Zimmerman. The lead investigator, Chris Serino, “stated he was unconvinced Zimmerman’s version of events.” His recommendation for a manslaughter charge was overruled by state attorney Norman Wolfinger, who subsequently removed himself from the case. [ABC News]

[Adam West]

http://rollingout.com/culture/george...losed-arrests/

[Henry Chinaski]

Originally Posted by chupacabra

I also still agree with Cam's original statement about this being a problem in the USA. It is a problem anywhere, but really shows south of the border. That problem is that far too many untrained people feel that a gun on their hip makes them a deputy. Whether it is to protect their family or their neighborhood, they have an arms race of morons and that is why so many people get shot.

I might be taking your definition of the problem too literally, but I don’t think you’ll find any numbers to back up this thesis. I’m no expert, but I would bet that murders by “untrained people” who “feel that a gun on their hip makes them a deputy” account for very few homicides.

The incident being discussed here is not the norm. Per Wikipedia, “In 14% of all murders, the victim and the offender were strangers”. Drug deal gone bad, domestic violence, gang activity, etc get your ass killed. Having the misfortune of running into an overzealous block captain is just bad luck.

It should also be pointed out that these murders are highly geographic. Have a look at the homicide rates for Seattle vs. St Louis. In fact, Seattle seems to have a lower homicide rate than Vancouver (admittedly these numbers are first hit google queries and I’m a bit confused if they account for van or metro van). To me, making the blanket statement that this is a problem south of the border, doesn’t tell the real story.

[chupacabra]

Originally Posted by Henry Chinaski

I might be taking your definition of the problem too literally, but I don’t think you’ll find any numbers to back up this thesis. I’m no expert, but I would bet that murders by “untrained people” who “feel that a gun on their hip makes them a deputy” account for very few homicides.

The incident being discussed here is not the norm. Per Wikipedia, “In 14% of all murders, the victim and the offender were strangers”. Drug deal gone bad, domestic violence, gang activity, etc get your ass killed. Having the misfortune of running into an overzealous block captain is just bad luck.

It should also be pointed out that these murders are highly geographic. Have a look at the homicide rates for Seattle vs. St Louis. In fact, Seattle seems to have a lower homicide rate than Vancouver (admittedly these numbers are first hit google queries and I’m a bit confused if they account for van or metro van). To me, making the blanket statement that this is a problem south of the border, doesn’t tell the real story.

Fair enough, it is certainly more of a problem farther south, but how many murders is too many? Like I said, this is an arms race. The right to bear arms has introduced millions of guns into public hands and I don't think this is a good thing. Look at what happened in New Orleans during Katrina. Armed assholes blockaded bridges to keep the "undesirables" out of their neighborhoods keeping them locked in the hell that was downtown New Orleans.. I don't think anyone was killed, so it doesn't make a stat, but it is an issue. IMO, the idea that guns provide the average person with protection is a problem because I don't think many people can handle a car nevermind a loaded weapon.

[syncro]

Originally Posted by chupacabra

I don't think many people can handle a car nevermind a loaded weapon.

that's why it's a good thing for women that davem is a eunuch.

[cam@nsmb.com]

Originally Posted by jbazett

Some fun facts about the case:

1. Zimmerman called the police to report Martin’s “suspicious” behavior, which he described as “just walking around looking about.” Zimmerman was in his car when he saw Martin walking on the street. He called the police and said: “There’s a real suspicious guy. This guy looks like he’s up to no good, on drugs or something. It’s raining and he’s just walking around looking about… These a**holes always get away” [Orlando Sentinel]

2. Zimmerman pursued Martin against the explicit instructions of the police dispatcher:
Dispatcher: “Are you following him?”
Zimmerman: “Yeah”
Dispatcher: “OK, we don’t need you to do that.”
[Orlando Sentinel]

3. Prior to the release of the 911 tapes, Zimmerman’s father released a statement claiming “[a]t no time did George follow or confront Mr. Martin.” [Sun Sentinel]

4. Zimmerman was carrying a 9 millimeter handgun. Martin was carrying a bag of Skittles and a can of iced tea. [ABC News]

5. Martin weighed 140 pounds. Zimmerman weighs 250 pounds. [Orlando Sentinel; WDBO]

6. Martin’s English teacher described him “as an A and B student who majored in cheerfulness.” [Orlando Sentinel]

7. Martin had no criminal record. [New York Times]

8. Zimmerman “was charged in July 2005 with resisting arrest with violence and battery on an officer. The charges appear to have been dropped.” [Huffington Post]

9. Zimmerman called the police 46 times since Jan. 1, 2011. [Miami Herald]

10. According to neighbors, Zimmerman was “fixated on crime and focused on young, black males.” [Miami Herald]

11. Zimmerman “had been the subject of complaints by neighbors in his gated community for aggressive tactics” [Huffington Post]

12. A police officer “corrected” a key witness. “The officer told the witness, a long-time teacher, it was Zimmerman who cried for help, said the witness. ABC News has spoken to the
teacher and she confirmed that the officer corrected her when she said she heard the teenager shout for help.” [ABC News]

13. Three witnesses say they heard a boy cry for help before a shot was fired. “Three witnesses contacted by The Miami Herald say they saw or heard the moments before and after the Miami Gardens teenager’s killing. All three said they heard the last howl for help from a despondent boy.” [Miami Herald]

14. The officer in charge of the crime scene also received criticism in 2010 when he initially failed to arrest a lieutenant’s son who was videotaped attacking a homeless black man. [New York Times]

15. The police did not test Zimmerman for drugs or alcohol. A law enforcement expert told ABC that Zimmerman sounds intoxicated on the 911 tapes. Drug and alcohol testing is “standard procedure in most homicide investigations.” [ABC News]

16. In a cell phone call moments before his death, Martin told a teenage girl that he was “hounded by a strange man on a cellphone who ran after him, cornered him and confronted him.” “‘He said this man was watching him, so he put his hoodie on. He said he lost the man,’ Martin’s friend said. ‘I asked Trayvon to run, and he said he was going to walk fast. I told him to run but he said he was not going to run.’ Eventually he would run, said the girl, thinking that he’d managed to escape. But suddenly the strange man was back, cornering Martin. ‘Trayvon said, ‘What, are you following me for,’ and the man said, ‘What are you doing here.’” [ABC News]

17. Police have Trayvon Martin’s cell phone but never contacted his girlfriend. [Miami Herald]

18. Zimmerman told the police “he had stepped out of his truck to check the name of the street he was on when Trayvon attacked him from behind as he walked back to his truck.” “He said he feared for his life and fired the semiautomatic handgun he was licensed to carry because he feared for his life.” [Miami Herald]

19. The incident occurred in a tiny gated community Zimmerman patrolled regularly. [Miami Herald]

20. Zimmerman was not a member of a registered Neighborhood Watch group. Zimmerman also violated basic Neighborhood Watch guidelines by carrying a weapon. [ABC News]

21. The police reports were amended to bolster Zimmerman’s claim of self defense. “Initial police reports never mentioned that Zimmerman had a bloody nose or a wet shirt that showed evidence of a struggle.” [Miami Herald]

22. Police ignored witness whose account was different from Zimmerman’s.“One of the witnesses who heard the crying said she called a detective repeatedly, but said he was not interested because her account differed from Zimmerman’s.” [Miami Herald]

23. Just prior to killing Martin, Zimmerman may have used a racial slur. The police admit they initially overlooked the remark. It’s unclear exactly what Zimmerman is saying. [ABC News]

24. Zimmerman still has a permit to carry a concealed weapon in the State of Florida. [ThinkProgress]

25. In April 2011, Zimmerman called the police to report a suspicious black male, “7-9″ years old, “skinny build.” [Daily Beast]

26. Zimmerman’s friend, Frank Taaffe, says Martin was shot because he wasn’t “honest and truthful” with Zimmerman. NBC News reported that Zimmerman called Taaffe to thank him for his support. [Huffington Post; MSNBC]

27. The lead investigator in Trayvon Martin shooting wanted manslaughter charge against Zimmerman. The lead investigator, Chris Serino, “stated he was unconvinced Zimmerman’s version of events.” His recommendation for a manslaughter charge was overruled by state attorney Norman Wolfinger, who subsequently removed himself from the case. [ABC News]

There you go, muddying the waters with facts when we were doing so well with opinions!

[petepeterson]

I avoid buying Doritos at the grocery store because I know that if they are just laying around eventually something bad will happen.

[Duncan]

Originally Posted by Henry Chinaski

In fact, Seattle seems to have a lower homicide rate than Vancouver (admittedly these numbers are first hit google queries and I’m a bit confused if they account for van or metro van).

Are Seattle's numbers King County or Seattle-Tacoma-Bellvue, a United States Office of Management and Budget (OMB) defined Metropolitan Statistical Area. All kinds of games are played with these comparisons usually to score political points.

Maybe I'm inherently biased but anecdotally speaking, the 6 o'clock local news reports out of Seattle often make shenanigans in the Lower Mainland look like a children's ball pit at a shopping mall.

Originally Posted by petepeterson

I avoid buying Doritos at the grocery store because I know that if they are just laying around eventually something bad will happen.

And you'll save yourself a future coronary ...

[Adam West]

http://abcnews.go.com/US/video/georg...lance-16024475


just popped up on my reddit feed.
also
http://www.reddit.com/r/politics/com...police/c462epk

[switch]

Martin was suspended for "suspected marijuana".

Saw the video on CNN. It's hard to see any detail, but Zimmerman doesn't look like someone who was pummeled and got a broken nose.

[KenN]

How everyone sees Zimmerman:




What Zimmerman sees when he looks in the mirror:




Kn.

[DaveM]

Originally Posted by switch

Martin was suspended for "suspected marijuana".

Saw the video on CNN. It's hard to see any detail, but Zimmerman doesn't look like someone who was pummeled and got a broken nose.

that's what I was thinking. He doesn't look like someone that was punched in the face and had his head pounded into the ground

I'm sure the truth lies out there somewhere, I'm not sure we've heard it from either side yet.

I'm just glad I live in a place where we don't need gated communities or neighborhood watches

[KenN]

Originally Posted by DaveM

I'm just glad I live in a place where we don't need gated communities or neighborhood watches

We do have both, though, within our own community.

Kn.

[go-t]

Originally Posted by KenN

We do have both, though, within our own community.

Kn.

Our neighborhood watch = panicky lulu housewives with cellphones and cookies.